Gita Debuts Nepali-Inspired Cuisine at Wink & Nod Today

A new culinary incubator takes up residency at the South End’s Wink & Nod today as chef Gita Kantrow begins her six-month term serving contemporary Nepalese cuisine with a side of Indian, Tibetan, and Western inspiration.

The concept, called Gita, features traditional dishes from Nepal with special touches that reflect Kantrow’s experience and American cooking style. She previously interned at Journeyman, Trade, and Rialto, as previously reported.

Gita’s menu is broken down into small, medium, and large plates, Boston Magazine reports. The lineup includes momo, which are pork-filled pot-stickers; dal soup, made with lentils; coconut shrimp; butter chicken; braised beef short ribs; and a selection of desserts, including a cardamom shortcake.

This is the fifth culinary residency at Wink & Nod, which is part of the Boston Nightlife Ventures group that includes The Tap Trailhouse, Griddler's Burgers and Dogs, and the newly opened Southern Kin. Chefs interested in the program go through a selection process with BNV to secure their place in the kitchen. Kantrow takes the kitchen over from chef Brendan Pelley, whose Greek concept Pelekasis had its final night on July 30.

Past concepts at Wink & Nod have lived on beyond the residency. The chefs behind Whisk opened Brassica Kitchen in Jamaica Plain, and the Bread & Salt Hospitality team opened Juliet in Somerville's Union Square. Meanwhile, Akinto’s chef Patrick Enage is working to open his concept in the former Merrill & Co. space next door to Wink & Nod, and Pelley is currently figuring out his next move for Pelekasis.

• Here’s Your First Look at the Gita at Wink & Nod Menu [BM]
• Wink & Nod Has Chosen Its Next Culinary Resident [EBOS]
• Boston Nightlife Ventures Hunts for Next Wink & Nod Culinary Team [EBOS]